Running the Race….

Yolanda Gail Devers born November 19, 1966 in Seattle, Washington, became a two-time Olympic champion in the 100 meters race. In 1988 Devers started training for the Summer Olympics and, although qualifying, she faced mounting health problems and was eliminated from the semi-finals. Diagnosed in 1990 with Graves’ disease, Ms. Devers underwent radioactive iodine and thyroid hormone replacement therapy. The radiation treatments nearly led to the loss of the runner’s feet. However, in 1991,  she won a silver medal in the 100 meter hurdles at the World Championships. Between 1992 and 1996, Yolanda won three gold medals with photo finish results, becoming the first woman to retain the Olympic 100 meter title since Wyomia Tyus. At the age of 40, in 1997, Devers won the 60 meter hurdles event in 7.86 seconds, the best time in the world that season setting the World Record. In 2011, Yolanda Gail Devers was inducted into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame and the following year to the United States Olympic Hall of Fame.  In 2012, she received the NCAA Silver Anniversary Award as a distinguished former college athlete.